If you want to explore minimalism on recordings, there is a wide selection available. And most of it can be found on compact disc, LP or cassette. Philip Glass is particularly well-represented in the catalogs. What arguably is his most impressive achievement -- the opera, Satyagraha -- can be heard on CBS. Douglas Perry, familiar to South Floridians for his frequent appearances with the Greater Miami Opera, sings the role of Gandhi with the New York City Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Christopher Keene, conductor.

Days after the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the first composition written specifically as a response to the tragic events in downtown Manhattan had its premiere. Rather than a traditional requiem, On the Transmigration of Souls presents what its composer calls a "memory space," with tapes of urban noise merging into the names of victims of the World Trade Center attacks, read by friends and family members. Orchestral strings are woven into atmospheric passages for large chorus, and the shifting musical mosaic coalesces around the repeated words "missing," "remember" and finally, "light" -- a mystical swirl of remembrance, sound and communal solace.

John Adams, whose boundary-breaking brand of minimalism has made him one of the most successful composers of our time, took the New Word Symphony's podium by storm over the weekend for a program of his works and those of other mavericks. In San Francisco and other culturally stimulated locales, his appearance would have generated a packed, wildly enthusiastic house. If conditions at the Lincoln Theatre in Miami Beach Saturday evening weren't exactly S.R.O., the wildly enthusiastic part held true.

John Adams, whose boundary-breaking brand of minimalism has made him one of the most successful composers of our time, took the New Word Symphony's podium by storm over the weekend for a program of his works and those of other mavericks. In San Francisco and other culturally stimulated locales, his appearance would have generated a packed, wildly enthusiastic house. If conditions at the Lincoln Theatre in Miami Beach Saturday evening weren't exactly S.R.O., the wildly enthusiastic part held true.

The Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida is offering an eclectic, appealing program this week that introduces important music and noteworthy soloists to the area. As Monday`s performance at Miami`s Gusman Cultural Center made plain, the rewards are many. In the important music category are works by Gustav Mahler and John Adams. Adams has produced several remarkably colorful and imaginative scores in the so-called minimalist style. He has effectively adapted that style to the traditional orchestra format in such pieces as Shaker Loops and Grand Pianola Music.

Days after the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the first composition written specifically as a response to the tragic events in downtown Manhattan had its premiere. Rather than a traditional requiem, On the Transmigration of Souls presents what its composer calls a "memory space," with tapes of urban noise merging into the names of victims of the World Trade Center attacks, read by friends and family members. Orchestral strings are woven into atmospheric passages for large chorus, and the shifting musical mosaic coalesces around the repeated words "missing," "remember" and finally, "light" -- a mystical swirl of remembrance, sound and communal solace.

If it's almost Christmas time, there's a 50 percent chance it's also Dranoff time, as in the Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition. This biennial event in Miami Beach has become the most significant of its kind in the world, which has been good news for South Floridians who enjoy doubling the pleasure of keyboard music. The seventh Dranoff competition gets under way Thursday at the Lincoln Theatre in Miami Beach and will run there through Dec. 22, the late Murray Dranoff's birthday.

The Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida is offering an eclectic, appealing program this week that introduces important music and noteworthy soloists to the area. As Monday`s performance at Miami`s Gusman Cultural Center made plain, the rewards are many. In the important music category are works by Gustav Mahler and John Adams. Adams has produced several remarkably colorful and imaginative scores in the so-called minimalist style. He has effectively adapted that style to the traditional orchestra format in such pieces as Shaker Loops and Grand Pianola Music.

If you want to explore minimalism on recordings, there is a wide selection available. And most of it can be found on compact disc, LP or cassette. Philip Glass is particularly well-represented in the catalogs. What arguably is his most impressive achievement -- the opera, Satyagraha -- can be heard on CBS. Douglas Perry, familiar to South Floridians for his frequent appearances with the Greater Miami Opera, sings the role of Gandhi with the New York City Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Christopher Keene, conductor.